Tips for a Successful Scholarship Application

Start early! It takes time to secure letters of recommendation.

The complete application, including your letters of recommendation must be submitted via email as directed in the materials on this site. We are unable to accept any applications or supporting materials in any other format.

If selected to receive a scholarship, you will need to scan your proof of acceptance and transcripts and save them before emailing them as directed. If you don’t have access to a scanner at home, ask your supervisor if there is one available at work that you can use for this purpose.

It is important that you take the time fill in all the areas of the application correctly. Applications that are missing information or are not complete with both letters of recommendation will NOT be accepted.

Put thought and effort into your answers to the brief essay questions on the application. These questions are designed to help members of the selection committee get to know you.

Please take the time to proofread or have someone else proofread your application. The Scholarship Selection Committee often overlooks applications that include bad grammar, misspellings and punctuation mistakes.

Take the time to reflect on Seton’s Mission and Values and include those thoughts in your essay responses. Take the time to think about why you would make a good health care professional and why you want to further your education.

When you approach someone to ask them to write you a letter of recommendation, explain what you need, where they can find the form online and the deadline for submission.

When asking for a recommendation, try to speak to your references in person and provide the link to the online letter of recommendation form to them immediately. If you have to use email or voicemail to communicate, be sure to include the website link information and give them a specific deadline of when you need the letter.

It is also helpful to provide copies of your resume or your work history and accomplishments to those you have asked to write your letters. This will make it easier for them to write a strong recommendation.

Follow up with your references by writing a thank you letter or email. Do this immediately after asking them to write a letter for you. In your letter to them, mention some reasons why you need the scholarship and remind them of your accomplishments. This will help them write a stronger recommendation letter.

If selected to receive a scholarship, you will need a copy of your transcript or proof of acceptance into a healthcare program at an eligible college or university. The best place to start for obtaining this information is generally with your school’s Registrar’s Office. If this is not the correct place, they can tell who you need to speak with. Some schools will email or fax information directly to you and some require you to appear in person with a form of identification. Some schools provide the information for free and others charge a small fee. Upon notification of your selection, please submit your request as quickly as possible, as some schools may take up to one or two weeks to send your materials, while others may do it immediately. Proof of acceptance into an accredited healthcare program is required prior to awarding of the scholarship funds.

Remember: Your completed application and two letters of recommendation are due Thursday, November 30th by 3:00 p.m..